The FH-1100 is a single-engine helicopter that was made by Fairchild Hiller.

Originally the FH-1100 was an entry into a US Army competition for a new light observation helicopter. The FH-1100 was one of three finalist designs recommended to the Navy and the first prototype took flight in 1963. Five FH-1100s were submitted to the US Army for testing purposes, where it received the designation YOH-5.

After testing a competing design from Bell was eliminated from consideration and the final decision was between the FH-1100 and a proposal from Hughes. Ultimately the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was selected as the winner, mainly due to a lower bid. Having already done the work to develop the 1100, it was decided to market it as a civilian aircraft instead.

The FH-1100 is a light helicopter suitable for corporate transport, firefighting missions, medical applications and policing. It has a class-average range of 330 nautical miles (about 611 km), with performance on par with its size, weight and market segment of the time.

It is powered by a single Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine that produces 317 shaft horsepower (236 kW). There are five variants in total, including the original military test units.

In total 253 FH-1100 helicopters were built, and it was produced from 1966 to 1973. Despite production having ceased decades ago, the FH-1100 remains in use today. During its operational life the FH-1100 was in use by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, the Philippines and of course the Unites States. Today it is primarily in use by the Royal Thai Police and by CHC of Canada.

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Design features

Metal rotor blades

Teetering rotorhead

Hamilton Standard stability augmentation system

Semi-monocoque structure at the front and tail boom at the rear

Hydraulic system for cyclic and collective pitch controls

Description

The FH-1100 is a single-engine helicopter that was made by Fairchild Hiller.

Originally the FH-1100 was an entry into a US Army competition for a new light observation helicopter. The FH-1100 was one of three finalist designs recommended to the Navy and the first prototype took flight in 1963. Five FH-1100s were submitted to the US Army for testing purposes, where it received the designation YOH-5.

After testing a competing design from Bell was eliminated from consideration and the final decision was between the FH-1100 and a proposal from Hughes. Ultimately the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was selected as the winner, mainly due to a lower bid. Having already done the work to develop the 1100, it was decided to market it as a civilian aircraft instead.

The FH-1100 is a light helicopter suitable for corporate transport, firefighting missions, medical applications and policing. It has a class-average range of 330 nautical miles (about 611 km), with performance on par with its size, weight and market segment of the time.

It is powered by a single Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine that produces 317 shaft horsepower (236 kW). There are five variants in total, including the original military test units.

In total 253 FH-1100 helicopters were built, and it was produced from 1966 to 1973. Despite production having ceased decades ago, the FH-1100 remains in use today. During its operational life the FH-1100 was in use by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, the Philippines and of course the Unites States. Today it is primarily in use by the Royal Thai Police and by CHC of Canada.

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John Doherty

Thursday, June 29, 2017 1:29 AM

This aircraft also saw use in Australia. National Mapping Australia leased one, registration VH-UTZ in 1967, for use in transporting their workmen
in remote areas including the Northern Territory and northern West Australia to locations many of which were inaccessible by four-wheel drive
vehicles. The aircraft was leased from Sydney-based Helicopter Utilities P/L.
It was also useful as a time saver. An example of which was a trip by a 4WD took almost two hours, and later UTZ did the same trip in about 10 minutes.